Heavy fight breaks out between Taliban and Afghan Army for control of Lashkargah, Helmand

Shares

KABUL - Residents of Lashkargah City, the center of Helmand province in the south of Afghanistan , said they are worried about their safety as clashes have intensified between government forces and Taliban militants in the outskirts of the city in the past two days.

The military operations in Nad Ali and the outskirts of Lashkargah City were launched on Wednesday.

“There is war every night. We are worried about our safety. The conflict has affected peoples’ lives,” said Abdul Razaq, a resident of Lashkargah.

“Last night, there were heavy clashes and bombarding. People cannot sleep during nights and we are in trouble,” Qudratullah, another resident said.

The residents called on security forces to maintain the cleared areas.

“They (security forces) launch military operations and then leave the cleared areas without establishing outposts there. I urge the high-ranking officials to end the war in our region,” Sayed Ali, a resident of Helmand, said.

Helmand Police Chief Gen. Abdul Ghafar Safi meanwhile vowed to remove the Taliban from the outskirts of Lashkargah City in the near future.

He said the military operations are ongoing in Babaji area in Lashkargah’s PD4 and in Chah-e-Anjeer area in Nad Ali district.

“We carry out systematic operations and all those areas which you have named are in our future plan. First, we set our goals and then we launch operations,” said Safi.

According to Helmand officials, Taliban captured Babaji area two years ago. Meanwhile, some parts of Nad Ali district have fallen to the Taliban over the past three years.